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Leduc Provincial Court briefs

Time served, probation for fraudulent cheques
A Leduc man is on a lengthy probation period after serving jail time for issuing fraudulent cheques.
Daryl George Wallis received a sentence of 345 days time served along with three years of probation after entering guilty pleas to 36 counts in Leduc Provincial Court on March 9. Court heard that according to the agreed statement of facts, Wallis and his co-accused, now ex-wife Virginia Wallis, went around the province making purchases between January 2015 and January 2016 with cheques knowing there were no sufficient funds in their bank accounts. The purchases mounted to $23,465.14.
In Wallis’ defence, court heard his ex-wife had a gambling addiction and he was the sole earner. She was spending beyond their means and he was aware the cheques would bounce. In his statement to police he did express remorse and willingness to pay back the affected businesses. When he was released on house arrest in September he didn’t breach any of his conditions.
With his time served sentence, the 41-year-old got three years of probation with conditions not to attend any of the affected businesses and not own a cheque book. He must also pay his share of the restitution at $14,604.88. The remaining 104 charges against him were withdrawn. His co-accused goes on trial later this year.

Hefty fines for obstruction
A mother and son must pay elevated fines after their guilty pleas to obstructing police and resisting arrest respectively.
Court heard on Nov. 4, 2016 a traffic unit member spotted a vehicle speeding northbound on the QEII where the driver was also using his cell phone. The sheriff stopped the vehicle and the driver, Shane Arthur Wascherol, was uncooperative. A Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) check showed a fine under warrant status so when the sheriff told Wascherol he was under arrest, he was verbally uncooperative and grabbed hold of the steering wheel. The sheriff tried to get a hold of Wascherol who repeatedly slapped the sheriff’s hand away. Wascherol’s mother, Marie C. Wascherol, got out of the vehicle and tried to hit the sheriff. Meanwhile a member from Banff RCMP passing by in a marked vehicle saw the scene and stepped in to help. The Wascherols continued to resist arrest and Shane made belligerent comments.
In their defence court heard Shane had just paid a fine and assumed it had not cleared the system which is why he refused to cooperate. He later learned there was a second fine. His mother stepped in because she believed her son was being mistreated.
Judge Jacqueline Schaffter called their behaviour reprehensible and warned Shane the next time this happened he would end up in jail.
Shane and Marie Wascherol received $1,170 and $780 fines respectively.

Fines for theft, missing court date
Melissa M. Gustafson must pay fines following guilty pleas to theft under $5,000 and failing to appear in court.
Court heard on Jan. 21 Walmart staff contacted Leduc RCMP about a theft. Store security had caught Gustafson concealing items including sneakers and jeans and trying to leave the store without paying. Following her arrest, she failed to appear for a subsequent court date.
Gustafson received $700 in fines.